Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BELLE OF PROVINCETOWN, by ANDREW MAGNUS FLEMING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BELLE OF PROVINCETOWN, by                    
First Line: Twas in the pioneer days of old
Last Line: A slave, a man servant, a mate she had found.
Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, A. M.
Subject(s): Fairies; Elves


'Twas in the pioneer days of old,
An elf child was born of a seashell, 'tis told,
Close where mermaids and water sprites did abound
On the wide, sandy beach of Provincetown.

She was adopted by the captain of a herring fleet
Who thereafter much success did meet
Until he sailed for Death's uncharted sea.
She, the Belle of Provincetown, was his sole legatee.

She had one likeable beau everybody seemed to know;
On her his good name soon he would bestow.
But, intoxicated, he fell in his bathtub and drowned,
And was mourned by the Belle of Provincetown.

She lamented his untimely end, would not be comforted
By promises from admirers to the altar to be led.
She sought to leave the world by an acqueous route
And sprang from a surf rock, but for help did shout.

Her call was answered by a monstrous Tom Cod,
Prime minister of Neptune, the sea god.
He parted the rolling combers rushing to her aid;
Of his piscary form asked her not to be afraid.

Quoth he, "Happy greeting, O Belle of Provincetown.
I am my plain self; I've no egotist's horn to sound.
I ask only your friendship; do not despise
My uncouth form, cold, unwinking fishy eyes.

"As you perceive I have no feet or hands
To drive an automobile over the shelly sands,
But strong fins, a broad, capable tail --
With their aid I sport when strong blows the gale."

She mounted Tom Cod's ample back;
On the breakers he made a successful attack.
The seaside visitors cheered the Belle of Provincetown --
A slave, a man servant, a mate she had found.





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